Thanksgiving for Canadians is a feast celebrating our harvest – a final good-bye to summer and an acknowledgement of the autumn and winter months ahead. This happens around a table groaning with produce from the fields – squashes, pumpkins, cranberries, apples, corn, potatoes, peppers – all transformed into special recipes for this occasion. Whether you […]
Tag: food
Quick harvest meals for busy times
Returning to work and school after the “lazy, hazy days of summer” is truly an adjustment, especially at mealtime. Thanks to these ideas from Foodland Ontario, dinner can be ready in minutes, leaving the evening free for the numerous fall activities. Harvest gnocchi with feta Ready in just 25 minutes, this pasta dish makes the […]
Preserving the taste of summer
There is nothing like a jar of preserves to bring back summer memories. The harvest can be transformed into relishes, pickles, jams, jellies, chutneys or simply canned to be enjoyed in the months ahead. If you decide to tackle this satisfying culinary feat, your kitchen will be fragrant with the smell of spices bubbling on […]
Cutting the organic hype
For many of us the word organic conjures up images of wholesomeness, health, clean ingredients and superior nutrition. While many will agree that organic food in general is a better choice, is it really? Well, that depends. Organic produce, grains, legumes and meats can be nutritionally superior to non-organic varieties. Certified organic foods must contain […]
Keep grilling with new BBQ ideas
Local vegetables are a natural for the barbecue. Make the most of easy grilling during the summer season to simplify your life and enjoy the fresh tastes of “just picked.” Although the following recipes from Foodland Ontario call for specific vegetables, you can vary them with the best of the season to create your own […]
Recipes for the sweeter side of summer
Summertime is the period of natural sweetness. Starting with strawberries in June and progressing to raspberries, melons, plums, apricots and peaches in late summer, you have a tantalizing array of just-picked desserts ready to sample. However, no matter how luscious the berry or fruit, that added something, be it ice cream or the perfect cookie, […]
The joy of strawberry season
You know it’s summer when you can close your eyes and take a deep breath to smell the most wonderful, aromatic fragrance wafting over the fields – Ontario strawberries. Summer has arrived! We’re lucky in Toronto, we don’t have far to travel for the experience of just-picked berries. Whittamore’s (905-294-3275) at Markham and Steeles is […]
Summer is the time to sizzle
It’s that sizzling time of year again, barbecue season. Time for the best steak ever, especially for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21. This past winter, I had one of the best barbecue lessons in Buenos Aires (it’s their summer when it’s our winter). I would say the Argentinians are passionate about barbecue. They barbecue […]
Farmers’ markets up and running
Along with the asparagus, rhubarb and lettuce crops that herald the arrival of spring, farmers’ markets, too, are sprouting up across the city. Farm-fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, honey, bread, cheese, maple syrup and even wine and beer are just some of the items available at local parks during the spring, summer and right […]
Arrival of spring means asparagus
When Ontario asparagus appears in the markets, you know spring has truly arrived. These long spears are a welcome addition to salads, pasta, rice, fish – you name it, they are yummy with everything, including this homemade aioli (recipe follows) with lemon-garlic overtones perfect to accompany asparagus’ delicate taste. Here are some asparagus pointers (no […]
